Health and Wellbeing MA

What is special about this course?

The MA Health and Wellbeing is designed to meet the career development needs of health and social care professionals in the UK.

The course will increase your awareness of the social, technological, economic, political and environmental changes taking place within health and social care, whether in the public, private or voluntary sectors, enabling you to take your career to the next stage.

You will study core modules in the development of local, national and international health and social care policy, the influence of sociology, psychology and ethics on our understanding of health and wellbeing, the issues of health and social care provision in remote and rural areas as well as gaining skills in research methods.

You will study part time through fully-supported online learning, with lectures, tutorials and other materials accessible via the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE). You will receive regular support from your tutors and peers via online discussions, telephone and email; whichever suits you best.

Special features

The course is delivered online which means you can fit your studies around your work and personal commitments wherever you are in the world.

The course content contributes to the development of the core dimensions in the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF): communication; personal and people development; health, safety and security; service improvement; quality; and equality and diversity.

You will also have the opportunity to study modules in more specialised areas, such as child and adolescent mental health, diabetes, infomatics in health and social care, patient safety in health and social care environments and lean quality improvement methodology.

Students are encouraged to undertake research in relation to their specific interest or in relation to their employment for the dissertation module.

Students can complete the university’s Skills and Employability Award and gain recognition (not academic credit) for a range of activities you take part in addition to your studies to help you stand out from the crowd and demonstrate the skills you have, prepare for a real interview and impress prospective employers.

Entry requirements

2:1 honours degree, or equivalent OR

Postgraduate diploma award or a professional qualification recognised as being equivalent to an honours degree

Applicants with a 2:2 honours degree or below, an ordinary degree or DipHE in a relevant subject, plus relevant professional experience may also be considered

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and/or Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) may also be considered

All students should be in employment and/or engaged in voluntary activities

*Funding support notice*

Postgraduate Loans (SAAS) (Scottish domiciled and EU students)

Loans for tuition fees are available from SAAS for eligible Scotland domiciled and EU students, and loans for living costs for eligible Scottish students.

How long will my course last?

Part-time (structured) (MA): 3 years @ 20-30 hours per week

Part-time (unstructured) (MA): 6 years @ 10-15 hours per week

The number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in discussion with tutors and your own time spent on individual study and research.

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

Enquiries from employers for multiple student registrations are welcome and special fee arrangements may apply.

Funding

From 2017, eligible Scotland domiciled students studying full time for any taught postgraduate course up to full Masters level can access loans up to 10,000 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). This comprises a tuition fee loan up to £5,500 and a non-income assessed living cost loan of £4,500. EU students studying full time can apply for a tuition fee loan up to £5500.

Part-time students undertaking any taught postgraduate course over two years up to Masters level who meet the residency eligibility can apply for a for a tuition fee loan up to £2,750 per year.

Full details can be found on the SAAS website. Applications for loans open in April.

Students from the rest of the UK who meet the eligibility requirements may be able to apply for a loan from the Student Loan Company

What can I do on completion of my course?

Once you have completed your MA Health and Wellbeing course, NHS staff currently on bands 5 and 6 of the NHS Career Framework Ladder can progress to bands 7 and 8.

Completion of this course will also lead to enhanced employment opportunities.

Can I progress into further study?

Progression to PhD study may be possible.

Is there more information available online?

You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.

What our students, graduates and staff say

The MA Health and Wellbeing course is a well thought out programme for anyone working within health provision, and the ability to tailor it to your own speciality is invaluable. This course will give you the skills and knowledge to provide evidence-based health care. The ability to study online, with the support of the university's tutors, makes the course flexible enough to study alongside work and family commitments at a pace that is achievable.

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). UHI operates a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.

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